Labeling machine for containers



July 30, 1940.

A. H. PETERSON LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS Filed oct. 3,` 1938 3 Sher-:das-Sheetl l :inventor M (ttomegV July 30, 1940- A. H. PEThERsoN 2.209,612"

LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS Filed oct. s, 1938 s sheetssneet 2 jtm/:inventor Patented July 30, 1940 UNITED STATES maar ra'rENT OFFICE 2,209,612 LABELLNG MACHINE Fon CONTAINERS Axel H. Peterson, Kewanee, Ill. Application October 3, 1938, Serial No. 232,967 2 claims. (ol. 21e- 4.27)

My invention has reference to a labeling machine, and it is designed more specially for use in applying gummed lab-els to glass jars and bottles, and similar receptacles, used in the dispensing of honey, syrups, jellies, andfother commodities which are put up for sale in contain-ers of a relatively small size. In the following specification the use of the word jar will be understood to embrace any of such containers or receptacles.

One of the purposes of the invention is to provide a machine in which a jar can be accurately positioned, to receive a label or seal on a desired spot thereon, with the position determined in such a manner that it will be uniform throughout a series of similar containers to which the the labels have been applied. The attractiveness of the article with the label attached thereto its thereby heightened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means of support for the article to be labeled, consisting of non-yieldable sidepieces and a yieldable central portion, with adjustment features for the side pieces topermit the spreading thereof to receive labels of larger size. Associated with said supporting device is a means for holding thereon a stack of labels, the upper one of which is removable by the impact of the jar therewith. This means is also tted with adjustment features, for conforming such means to any changes in the positioning of the main support.

Another purpose thereof is an arrangement of gauges or stops, to assist in positioning a jar in the machine for labeling. These are also of an adjustable character, so that they can be arranged to receive containers of varying dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment therefor in the nature of a gum-v ming apparatus, for use in applying adhesive matter to labels which are not already provided therewith.

Another feature thereof consists of a novel mechanism, usable with the gumming machine, for applying a jet of steam to the gummed labels, to expedite the operation of attaching the labels to jars. Under some atmospheric conditions, where water is vused for moistening the 1abels, it requires an instant or two of time to suflciently soften the adhesive, but by use of the steam the effect is instantaneous.

The machine is simple in construction, and can be produced at a minimum of cost. Most of the labeling machines which are on the market today are of a complex and cumbersome nature, and costly to build.

The above named, and other features and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly in sec-V 5 tion. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, showing la modified feature of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a gumming apparatus in side ele-l Vation.

Fig. 5 is a plan View thereof. y

Fig. 6 is a cross-section detail of a modied form of label retainer.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the machine, with a jar shown in position on the bed.'`

Fig. 8 shows a steaming device, for support above the machine. A

Fig. 9 is an end view thereof.

The reference number I0 indicates a hollow base, having an opening I I in its top, across which is mounted a supporting bed, consisting of 'a pair of side-blocks i3, between which is a block I2, supporting a cushion member I4, of sponge rubber or similar material. The blocks I3 are held in place by screws I5 and I6, projecting upwardly through 25 slots Il and I 8 in the base I0. By loosening the screws said blocks can be moved outwardly, or spread, and the screws again tightened. The width of the bed can thus be increased, to provide for use with a stackof larger labels.

Supported on the bed is a stack of labels 20, in position to receive the 'impact of a jar introduced into the machine above the same, as indicated at 2li.. Said labels are held in place by gripping devices, consisting of a pair of pins 2I, movable ver- 5 tically in bearings 22 supported at the ends of clamps 23, secured to the base by bolts 24, passing downwardly` into the base. The clamps are provided with slots 25, through which the bolts pass, and by means of which adjustments of the pins can be made, both laterally of the ma- 40 chine and lengthwise thereof, for use with different sizes of labels. On the upper ends of the pins 2i are heads 26, whichgrip the edges of the labels, and aid in holding the stack of labels in place on the bed. On the lower ends of the pins 2l are weights 2l, which tend to move the pins downwardly and maintain the contact of the grips with the edges of the uppermost label, holdingall of the labels in place. At the end of the bed I 4 is 50 a pin 28 vertically slidable in a mounting 29 `on the base, and forming a stop for the end of the stack of labels. At its lower end the pin 28 is supported on one end of a spring 30, the other end of which is fixed to a post 3I in the lower part of 55 the base. The pin projects normally above the top of the stack of labels, but when a jar I9 is placed therein the pin is forced downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2. When the jar is removed the pin is returned to its former position by the spring. In case a portion of one of the heads 26 should be broken away, by turning the pin a new part is presented for use.

At one side of the machine is a pair of gauge pins 34, carried on the ends of clamps 35, secured to the base by bolts 36. The clamps are provided with slots 31, through which the bolts pass, and by means of which the pins 34 can be vari- I ously positioned to provide for dilerent shapes and sizes of jars. At the end of the machine is a similar pin 38, on the end of a clamp 39, secured to the base by a bolt 40, passing through a slot 4l in the clamp. This pin acts as a stop for the end of a jar, and is also capable of considerable adjustment to conform the same to the size of the jars which are being provided with labels.

Assuming the labels 20 to be of the gummed kind, to operate the machine one of the jars is dampened on one side, as by pressing the same against a wet sponge, and the jar then positioned in the machine, with one of its sides against the pins 34, and its end against the pin 38. If the pins are properly positioned this brings the center line of the jar in line with the center line of the supporting bed, and of the labels held thereon. The jar is then forced downwardly, the contact causing the body portion of the upper label to adhere to the jar. The jar is then lifted, carrying with it the uppermost label in the pile, the edges of the label slipping from beneath the griplpers 26. The rest of the label is then secured manually by pressing the edges by hand.

If it is discovered that the labels are not being properly positioned on the jars, a correction can be quickly made by adjustment of the gauge pins, so as to have the center line of the jar coincide with the center line of the machine, and the label properly spaced between the ends of the jar.

In Fig. 3 is shown another form of the device, in which a gauge-plate 42 is substituted for the pins 34 and 38. Said plate is pivoted on a pin 43 on the inner end of a clamp 44, secured to the base by a bolt 45, passing through a slot 46 in the clamp. The plate 42 is held normally from turning on the pin by means of a set-screw 48. One end of the plate is curved and the end 41 thereof forms a stop for the end of a jar supported in the machine. Various adjustments can be had of the plate 42 to permit it to conform to differences in the size and shapes of the containers.

In Fig. 6 is shown a different means for gripping the pile of labels, in which 49 indicates the base, and 50 the side pieces of a support, in which are lXed a pair of nail-shaped pins 5l, the heads of which engage the edges of a stack of labels 52, supported on a central block 53, having a recess 54, in which is a coiled spring 55, resting upon the base. Upon a jar being placed upon the labels 52 and forced downwardly, as in the rst-described case, the block 53 moves downwardly against the tension of the spring, until it comes in contact with the base. The jar is then lifted, removing the uppermost one of the labels, and the attachment of the label to the jar is completed, as before. The spring again moves the block 53 upwardly, with a new label at the top. By this means the pack of labels can be gradually elevated, until all are used.

In some cases it is found to be necessary to make use of labels which have not been gummed,

and for use in such cases a special attachment is provided, such as is shown in Figures 4 and 5. This mechanism includes an arm 51, pivoted on a pin 58 supported on the base, so as to swing in a horizontal plane. At the free end of said arm is a head 59, in which is a plunger 50, vertically movable, and provided at its lower end with a plate 6I. Crossways of said plate are containers 62, carrying pads 63 of sponge or similar material, with perforations above the pads in the bottoms of the containers. The containers are supplied with a liquid adhesive, which feeds down through the perforations into the pads, thoroughly saturating them. The length of the arm 51 is such that upon swinging the same inwardly the pads Will be brought just over the pile of labels, and by pressing the plunger 60 downwardly the pads will Contact the uppermost label, forming spaced bars of adhesive thereon. The jar for labelling can then be supported in the machine and forced downwardly as before described.

A spring 58a on the lower end of the pin 58 tends to hold the arm 51 outwardly out of the way when not in use, and automaticaly returns said arm to such position upon being released.

To prevent the labels from sticking to the pads, springs 66 are provided, positioned between the pads, and extending beyond the same. As the pads are moved downwardly the springs are compressed, and upon the plunger being raised again the springs are in Contact with the top label, and prevent it from being lifted by the pads. The return movement of the plunger is assisted by a coiled spring 65, interposed between the handle 64 and the end of the arm 51. When the label has ben gummed the instrument just described is swung to the side of the machine, out of the way.

The containers 62 are shown herein as held in place by screws 61 passing through slots 38 in the plate 6l, and permitting an adjustment of the containers and pads with reference to each other. A stop 69 is also provided on the base, with which a lug 10 on the arm support comes in contact, limiting the movement of the arm inwardly.

In Figures 8 and 9 the head 59 of arm 58 is shown provided with a vertical bore 592, in which is positioned a tube 10, connected with a piece of hose 13, for connections with a source of steam supply. In said coupling is a chamber 14, normally closed from above by a valve 15, held in place by a coiled spring 15. The valve 15 is connected with a pin 11, slidable in the upper part of the coupling and provided with a head 18, upon which rests a jar, as shown at 19. By pressing the jar downwardly the valve 15 is opened, and a stream of steam passes downwardly into the tube 1l), and out through a spray nozzle at 80. At this time the nozzle is just above a stack of the labels, and the upper one is thoroughly moistened by the jet of steam. The apparatus then swings to one side, and the jar is pressed down on the uppermost label, as in the operation hereinbefore described. To aid in the support of the jar above the coupling, there is projected from one side of the coupling an arm 8l, provided with a post 82.

The parts can be so arranged that the bore in the head 58 can be used interchangeably for the tube 1U, or for the supporting plunger 60 of the gumming apparatus.

Any or all of the adjustable features set forth herein can be made permanent, if desired. Other changes can be made in the form and arrangement of the various parts of the invention without departing from the scope and purpose thereof,

What I claim, and desire to secure, is:

1. A labeling machine, comprising a base, having an opening therein, a support mounted above said opening, formed of a pair of xed sidepieces and a central yieldable piece, means for adjustment of the positions of said side pieces to and from each other, means for holding a stack of labels on said support for release consecutively, and meins for establishing the position of a container on said support with reference to the position of said labels.

3 2. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a support thereon for a stack of labels, an arm pivoted on said base, and provided` with a head movable to position above said label support, a steam jet apparatus supported by said head, means for interrupting the passage of steam through said apparatus, and means connected with said last-named means for continuing the steam action, and operable by the force of a container placed thereon. Y AXEL H. PETERSON. 

